8
Jan

Creating With Kids: Painted Fabric

My kids are little. Savannah and Matilda are still in preschool and Caspian is 16 months. But despite their young ages, I like to try to involve them in creativity as much as possible. Would I love to plunk them down in front of a sewing machine and get them sewing? Yes. But I just don't feel like they are old enough yet. You betcha, that when the time is right, Miss Savannah will be getting her first sewing machine, but until then, I've been trying to come up with other ways to involve the kids in creative projects.For Christmas the girls wanted to make some … continue reading

7
Jan

Survey Prize Winners

Wow, over 1200 of you filled out The Cottage Mama 2013 survey!I am blown away that so many of you would take the time to share your thoughts and opinions with me. Thank you. Some of you left comments and shared things that brought tears to my eyes. You all really and truly mean so much to me and this has been a great exercise in helping get to know you even better. As much as you might think I do and share here on the blog, just know that what I receive from you is so great that it is beyond words.I have just started to analyze the survey results. I have quite a … continue reading

3
Jan

Studio Sale on Friday

It's time to make some room in The Cottage Mama Studio. We've got new things coming in, so we need to move some inventory out. This Friday (tomorrow) at 10:00AM (CST), we will be having a studio sale over at www.thecottagemama.com. Usually I announce these things over on The Cottage Mama Facebook page, but since this is such a big one, I thought I would share it here on the blog as well.What is a studio sale? Well, it's where we bundle up a bunch of different items (mostly fabrics, trims and crafting supplies) that we no longer need, or simply can no longer store, … continue reading

2
Jan

The Cottage Mama 2013 Survey and a Big Giveaway from Me to You!

Well, it's here......2013! This is going to be a great year. I can feel it, can you? I love the beginning of a new year. It causes me to reflect, set new goals and refocus for the 12 months ahead.With that being said, I need your help. I have never done this before, but I have a survey that I would really like all of you to fill out for me. I want to know more about you. I want to know your interests, likes and dislikes, why you visit The Cottage Home, how we can make the website more user friendly, how long you have been sewing, cooking, crafting, ect.So would … continue reading

31
Dec

Best of 2012 ~ DIY Project Tutorials

I had a feeling 2012 would be a great year, but never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine all the opportunities that would come this year. I do not take any of it for granted and wake up every day feeling blessed and so thankful for all of this. Now, more than ever, I believe that we have a great power in our destiny. I know my husband was rolling his eyes last year when, on the first day of 2012, I kept saying (out loud) that 2012 was going to be a great year! I believe if you put positive energy out in the world and work really hard, good things will come … continue reading

21
Dec

Gingerbread Houses ~ Decorating Fun!

We had so much fun with my mom and Pepo visiting this past weekend. One of the holiday projects we did during their visit was decorating gingerbread houses. The girls had a ball with this holiday activity and I thought I would share some photos of their experience.First we had to gather up all the candy.......lots and lots of candy.These red ruby dishes are very special to me. My Grandma Ethel collected a large set of this dishes in all shapes and sizes for me. They are so beautiful and I always pull them out around the holidays. I really should use them more … continue reading

20
Dec

Homemade Popcorn Balls ~ Recipe

There is something very nostalgic to me about homemade popcorn balls. This year I decided to whip up a big batch of these sweet treats to share with our friends. These do not take long at all to put together and you can do a large batch of them in no time. Wrap each one up in a clear cello bag with some bakers twine and you've got a sweet little gift that anyone would be happy to receive.Homemade Popcorn Ball RecipeMakes 8 - 10Ingredients:8 cups popped popcorn1/2 cup light corn syrup1/2 cup water1/4 teaspoon salt3/4 cup brown sugar3/4 cup white sugar3/4 cup … continue reading

18
Dec

Cottage Christmas Outfits 2012

I was very lucky this year that my mom asked if she could make the kids Christmas outfits again. Of course I said yes, and I wanted to share some pictures of the darling dresses she created for the girls and the adorable bow-tie she created for Caspian Finn.This past weekend we had our early Christmas celebration with my mom and Pepo. We went out to our favorite seafood brunch restaurant and were able to get some pictures of the kids wearing their sweet Christmas outfits.These dresses were made from the Charlotte Apron Dress Pattern (Size 6 Month through 10 Years) … continue reading

14
Dec

Christmas Decorating at The Cottage Home

Today is the start of our Christmas celebrations here at The Cottage Home. My mom and her husband Allen (aka Pepo) are flying in from Texas to celebrate an early Christmas with us. Ever since Savannah was born they have come to our house early which has been really nice. That way we are able to celebrate the holidays with my in-laws and this year, my dad and brother on Christmas.So I have been busy around here getting the house ready for their arrival. I've made a huge batch of homemade Chex Mix (we've already gone through one batch so this is round two), muddy … continue reading

13
Dec

Come Sew with The Cottage Mama at The Martha Pullen School of Art Fashion

I cannot even begin to tell you how much sewing has been going on over here at The Cottage Mama. You wouldn't even believe it if I told you.....it has been a lot! You know how much I love to share with you all, but most of it has to be kept as a big surprise until my book comes out next October. But that's the way these things go and it is truly a blessed opportunity. However, I finally have some pieces that I can share with you and I wanted to let you know about a really fun event coming up this February.Have you heard of the Martha Pullen School of Art Fashion? … continue reading